Mixing/mastering services: fair prices and results

Production Corner
#1

Hi everyone. I wanted to get a feel for what other people are paying for mixing/mastering services. I do all of my recording at home and have a person who mixes/masters each track for $200. I thought that was pretty solid, but another friend recently told me he pays $100 per song, but he’s in a much different genre (he’s a rapper, my tracks have midi drums, then I play bass, acoustic and electric guitar and sing (along with harmonies) over it (this isn’t a plug, but example of a song would be my last release:

What are other people paying for these services? I’m happy with the results I’m getting but thought it would be worth seeing if I could be getting the same results for less $

#2

I pay £50 currently and get great results.

Not released anything yet with the band I’m starting currently but for the tracks so far I feel it’s been insane value for money.

#3

I think it can very much vary depending on where you are in the world - but the important thing for me is that if you’re happy with the work and you feel it’s better than others, then the price is worth it. What you could always do for a test for one song is pay for both, and then see if there’s a real audible difference in quality?

For just a good mix I’d say $200 is a good price, so for mix and master and I’d definitely say that was decent.

Damian :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#4

From my experience £200 is what I’ve found to roughly be the average mix price. I tend to do 90% of my own mixes though.

There’s also things like how many stems there are in the mix. If its just a 2 track plus a few vocal stems it’ll be a lot cheaper than a 24 track mix.

#5

Over the last 6 months I’ve invested in mixing/production tutor that, I truly believe, has far improved the master once it has been finally completed.

A great track consists of;
A great song,
With a great recording,
With a great arrangement,
With great production,
With a great mix,
With a great master.

After paying 350gbp/track for mixing services last year I definitely feel 200gbp/month going into production/songwriting/mix tuition has, by far, increased the quality of my sound.

Learning more about the mix process has made me think differently about the production of a track and that’s where I’ve seen the greatest value :slight_smile:

1 Like
#6

I use to pay 350€ a track as my Mix&master engineer had a few of 150€ a day. Now I found another guy that does it for 150£ a track. But I think everyone has a strong point. If you listen to my first 2 songs they’re more acoustic (mixed and mastered with the first guy) and they sound great. The last one is more metal and sounds really different but it’s because of the genre. And the sound it also depends of how many tracks you send.

#7

I think it entirely depends on a multitude of things when it comes to mixing and mastering…

First of all, turnaround time - I know mixing/mastering engineers (myself included) who will charge more if you want to have your track back within a couple of days. Even more if you want your album done in a week.

Second of all - what you want doing. If your friend is a rapper and they have a pre-mixed instrumental, and all the engineer has to do is mix their vocals with it, then master it - this is a lot less work than mixing your project with x many drum stems, guitars, bass, keys, etc etc etc.

Thirdly - who you’re paying. Same as anything, you get what you pay for. Shopping around can help, just look at the vast difference in prices you get on fiverr. Someone who’s been doing this for ten years and specialises in your genre will charge a lot more than someone who’s just starting out, and is trying to make a name for themselves. You might find that you get exactly the same result - but in many circles, having a named mastering engineer speaks volumes.

#8

Nice positive track Jim! I like your sound, keep em coming

1 Like
#9

Well damn, I guess I can really cut my costs down based on what everyone else is saying here, I’ve been paying about $1,300 CDN for all my mixes. I’m so broke :joy:

#10

Yeah you definitely can my friend :slight_smile: